Anne Dombrofski of West Hartford passed away Tuesday as a result of serious injuries sustained when she fell off her bicycle.

Dombrofski family photo courtesy of Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center

By Ronni Newton

A 48-year-old West Hartford woman who was injured when she fell off her bicycle Sunday afternoon has died as a result of the incident, West Hartford Police said.

Anne Dombrofski was riding her Schwinn mountain bike north on Cornerstone Drive, approaching Buena Vista Road and the Veterans Memorial Rink when she lost control and fell, police said.

“It wasn’t a car accident. We think she hit a rut in the road, fell awkwardly, and sustained a severe head injury,” West Hartford Police Capt. Jeff Rose said. She was wearing a helmet, he said.

“There was no vehicle, no other person involved. It’s just a tragedy,” Rose said.

The incident happened at approximately 1 p.m. Sunday.

Dombrofski was admitted to St. Francis Hospital, but died at 2:35 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31.

Dombrofski, who was employed as a grant writer at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford, is survived by her husband, Mark, and her children, Sean and Claire, her parents, in-laws, siblings, and many other family members and friends. The children are ages 11 and 14, and attend Conard High School and Sedgwick Middle School, Rose said.

Father David Cinquegrani of Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center said in an email that he was with the family over the past several days as they dealt with the tragedy. “We are all grieving. Anne is a dear friend of mine as well as a colleague in ministry,” he said.

Fr. David shared the following message, which he sent to the Holy Family community upon Dombrofski’s passing:

It is with indescribable sadness that I write to tell you of the passing of our beloved friend Anne Dombrofski.

After three days of struggle, Anne went peacefully into God’s loving embrace at 2:35pm today at St. Francis Hospital. Mark and Fr. Terry were with her when she took her last breath.

We will long remember Anne’s warm smile and generous heart. She gave all of us, whether well known to her or not, the light of faith in her gentle and sincere countenance. Anne was an inspiring and principled person and a remarkable wife, mother, sister and daughter to her family.

Our mission now is to pray for Mark, Sean and Claire and for Anne’s family, especially her parents and siblings, who are facing this incredibly painful loss.  

The funeral will take place at St. Peter Claver Church in West Hartford on Saturday morning at 11AM with calling hours on Friday evening from 4PM to 8PM. In a few weeks we will celebrate a memorial service at Holy Family for remembrances of Anne’s life and for time to share stories about her with one another.

May Anne be at peace now with God and may her passing remind us of the hope to which we are called in Christ our Lord. Amen.

Molloy Funeral Home is handling the arrangements, and according to their website calling hours will be held on Friday, Sept. 2, from 4 – 8 p.m. at St. Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant St., West Hartford. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, at St. Peter Claver.

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